Title: |
Shop Bridge, Broughton Mills, Cumbria: Archaeological Monitoring report |
Series: |
Northern Archaeological Associates unpublished report series
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Downloads: |
northern1-503080_183316.pdf (5 MB)
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Download
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Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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DOI |
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Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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Abstract: |
This report outlines the results of archaeological monitoring (a watching brief) conducted at Shop Bridge, Broughton Mills, Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria (NGR SD 22238 90716). The monitoring was undertaken during remedial work on the 18th century Grade II listed bridge (List entry no. 1086852; Historic England Listings: historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1086852). All work was carried out in response to the existing bridge half-arch being deemed structurally unsafe and in danger of collapse.
The aim of the archaeological work was to identify and record developmental phases of Shop Bridge, from its initial construction through later alterations, in order to provide an understanding of the relative chronology of the different periods of modification of the bridge. Archaeological monitoring during remedial works has identified the various construction phases of Shop Bridge, although it has not been possible to put these phases within a chronological framework as no artefactual material was recovered. Monitoring has identified four phases of modification on the east side of the bridge, which includes the original arch (Phase 1), construction of the infill-arch (Phase 2), construction of the half-arch (Phase 3) and parapet walls (Phase 4). The unphased arch extension to the west, and infilling of the widened bridge deck could not be tied into developments to the east. However, it seems most likely this occurred in conjunction with the initial Phase 2 stage of widening of the north end of the bridge.
The original 18th century Shop Bridge would have been constructed for light foot traffic or draft animals drawing carts as part of, or feeding into, the turnpike road network. It seems most likely that widening of the bridge deck by the addition of the arch extension and construction of the infill-arch were undertaken in response to the rapid uptake of motorised vehicles during the early 20th century. The construction of the half-arch occurred later and was undertaken to further widen the eastern side of the north end of the bridge. This would have been in response to the presence of longer motor vehicles and to allow a right turn from the north end of the bridge, giving unrestricted access to the villages situated to the north-east of Broughton Mills. |
Author: |
J Goldberg-Booth
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Publisher: |
Northern Archaeological Associates
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Year of Publication: |
2021
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Locations: |
Parish: |
Broughton West |
County: |
Cumbria |
District: |
South Lakeland |
Country: |
England |
Grid Reference: 322237, 490715 (Easting, Northing)
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Subjects / Periods: |
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Identifiers: |
OASIS Id: |
northern1-503080 |
Report id: |
NAA Rpt 21/78 |
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Note: |
This report was uploaded to the OASIS system by the named Publisher. The report has been transferred into the ADS Library for public access and to facilitate future research.
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Source: |
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Relations: |
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Created Date: |
23 Aug 2022 |